Clifford to open new bookshop
Having been made redundant last month from his position as manager of Sarum College Bookshop, Mark Clifford, who is also Chair of the Christian Bookseller’s Group of the Bookseller’s Association, is to open his own bookshop in the city in the coming weeks.
The bookshop at Sarum College, which had seen an increase in sales since October 2007, was up on budget and had its best ever July sales figures, will now be run by the head librarian Jenny Monds.
A Sarum College press release announcing this news made no mention of Mr Clifford’s departure although it did say that the bookshop was ‘set to thrive’ under the new leadership. Christine Nielsen-Craig from Sarum College declined to comment regarding Mr Clifford’s departure as it was an internal matter.
Nielsen-Craig confirmed to Christian Marketplace that the decision taken by the trustees was driven by financial requirements but added that “the restructuring will strengthen the position of the bookshop and enable it to provide an improved service to customers as part of the Library operation.” Stephen Lamdin, the departing Interim Principal at Sarum College said, “Commercial environments change and institutions have to change with them: the current arrangements are not viable either for the bookshop or the College.”
Clifford told Christian Marketplace that he had secured premises in Catherine Street in the city and was hopeful of being able to open by the middle of October. “I am currently finalising all the legal details with the lease etc. and hope to have everything completed in the next couple of weeks.”
The new shop is to be called Sarum Books and Clifford’s aim is to serve the whole community of Salisbury and maintain the supply of a wide range of Christian books across the theological spectrum.
Clifford said he had received a lot of support, particularly from his two main financial backers, and also from a number of Christian publishers and distributors alike. “I’ve also met the suffragan Bishop who has also been very encouraging and supportive of what I am trying to do and I also know that local clergy will prefer to have a shop in the main shopping area.”
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